Tag Archive for: dogs

Hello strangers! Everyday I think about blogging but I never sit down to do it. I think the problem is that I have all these ideas and to actually sit down and focus on one at a time, to gather all my thoughts, along with the pictures has been too much for me. It takes me almost two hours to write one blog, I guess I am slow or something. So, tonight, I am going to bed but I am making myself write SOMETHING. I need to just do it.

Tonight, I am going to write a dog blog. I will be adding to it, but for now, I just want to keep track of what is on my mind at the moment. I have a foster, Nori (I will blog his story later) and he is a 3 year old boy who I met at the shelter. He has been at our house for 3 or 4 weeks now. He has finished his shut down and now I am expanding his training and his time hanging out with us. He is a fearful boy, so he needs to go sloooooooooow, especially with three, lively children in the house….it’s enough to scare most off! I am taking an On Leash Class through the rescue that I volunteer for, where everyone works with one dog in the class. We all take turns with the dog and get feedback on what we’re doing right or wrong, learning the information thoroughly so we know what to do with our foster dog when we go home. It’s great and I love the class. So, I’m working on that stuff with Nori, and my dog as well (bonus!). I’ve had to get creative, because if I don’t get to take my usual 1 1/2 mile walk with the dogs because of the weather or something, I have begun to train with them at night but outside. I usually train my fosters at night because that is when my kids are asleep, but I am utilizing the street lights, and getting the dogs used to the night sounds (which can be distracting), and being able to leash train them past 3 feet. The house can be confining and this way we have a big strip of street to work with. It is very nice and relaxing and I’m also able to see what goes on at night in my neighborhood. Fun stuff on Saturday nights!

During the day, I’ve been walking both dogs (usually) for 1 1/2 miles or more and it’s been my favorite part of my days. It’s a half an hour to my own thoughts, and just focusing on the present moment. I walk if it’s lightly raining too, and I can smell all the smells that you often take for granted from being inside the house during a nice downpour. It’s been so calming for me and my house has been quite hectic the past couple of (years) months, especially with the twins in their terrible three’s. It’s a horrible, horrible phase. It is topped off with sweet moments, but for the most part, it’s fighting, teaching/learning a lesson, fighting, breaking up a fight, quieting the loud voices….just exhausting work. No, I’m not going to be one of those untruthful people who sugarcoat life with kids and tell you that it’s wonderful all of the time. I’m honest and I think it’s a huge disservice to future parents. I love my family, but it is work. And twins is no joke…..and no it’s not the same as having 3 kids close in age. Not the same at all.

Ok, off of that soapbox.

This is my calm time. And this is what helps me stay sane.

My foster, Nori, is on the left and my dog, Yumi, is on the right. She just turned a year old. She is wonderful and my whole family is in love with her.

I get to see so many colors, flowers, plants and trees while walking as well. Who knew that such a simple task or chore-walking the dogs- could mean so much to me? There’s a Walk For A Dog app that I’ve been using on my phone and I’ve been able to track my route, mileage,etc. It gives the shelter/rescue of your choice $.25 per mile. So, I’m also raising money for the dogs in the rescue by walking…..it’s all a win/win.

So that is all I am going to write for now. It is late, almost 2 a.m. but I did it…..I completed my task of writing. I broke my hiatus and now I can keep it up. That’s the goal anyways and it is so important to me, even though it doesn’t seem like it because I haven’t been writing.